Abu Dhabi to host the inaugural edition of M&I Expo in 2026
DCT Abu Dhabi partners with M&I to bring senior MICE decision-makers from 14-16 April 2026.
ABU DHABI, UAE – The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Worldwide Events have signed a strategic partnership to host the highly anticipated M&I Expo in Abu Dhabi from 14-16 April 2026.
M&I, a leading events provider and global innovator in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector and a recognized event brand within the portfolio of Worldwide Event's, will bring to Abu Dhabi the 'MICE 1,000', a curated group of the most senior, influential decision-makers in the global MICE industry for three days of networking, knowledge-sharing, and business development.
The exclusive event, to be hosted at the state-of-the-art Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), further cements Abu Dhabi's growing position as a global MICE hub, with the goal to strengthen collaboration and mutual value creation, while shaping a robust future for the sector in the emirate.
Building on the previous success of M&I's sold-out event: M&I Fest Global, M&I Expo in Abu Dhabi will feature immersive booths, compelling branded spaces and storytelling-driven showcases attracting global exhibitors, including tourism boards, convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs), major hotel brands, conference centres, destination management companies (DMCs), and technology providers who will present their offerings to an audience of high-calibre industry professionals.
Mubarak Al Shamsi, Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau Director, DCT Abu Dhabi said: 'Hosting the M&I Expo in Abu Dhabi reinforces the emirate's strength and sustained growth as a premier destination for business events and incentive travel. Our latest achievement reflects our strategic commitment to building a world-class MICE ecosystem offering cutting-edge event venues and exceptional hospitality rooted in our core cultural values. With iconic venues such as Qasr Al Watan and Yas Marina Circuit, complemented by Abu Dhabi's diverse leisure attractions such as the newly opened teamLab Phenomena, we are confident this event will showcase the very best of what our destination has to offer.'
Abu Dhabi's emergence as a global MICE destination is complemented by a diverse, value-added offering across heritage, entertainment, adventure and beyond, and driven by the strategic vision of DCT Abu Dhabi to enhance infrastructure and support event organisers and industry partners.
Richard Barnes, CEO of M&I said: 'Following the success of two incredible editions of M&I Fest in 2024 and 2025, the event has naturally evolved into something bigger and bolder. M&I Expo aims to deliver more valuable connections than any show that's previously existed. We don't want to become another big faceless exhibition where quality is diluted, time is wasted, and people are lost; our focus is on quality over quantity, we aim to attract the right level of delegates: M&I Expo caters exclusively to the elite of the MICE industry; the 1,000 most influential players in the MICE industry: the MICE 1,000. We believe that 1,000 is the sweet spot, not too big, not too small. It's just the right size.'
The M&I Expo programme will feature M&I's market-leading one-to-one pre-scheduled meeting format alongside a fully inclusive networking programme with hosted lunches, evening socials, and keynote speakers.
In addition to the exhibition programme, buyers will have the opportunity to experience Abu Dhabi firsthand; engaging with its unique venues, culture, and hospitality offering.
Hosting the M&I Expo aligns with Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to establish the emirate as a global leader in culture and tourism, while serving as a catalyst for diversified economic growth. Business events such as M&I Expo are instrumental in advancing this vision, contributing to tourism sector development, promoting knowledge exchange, fostering innovation and creating lasting benefits for all stakeholders.
This announcement comes as Abu Dhabi's tourism sector continues to grow in 2025, welcoming 1.4 million overnight guests in the first quarter alone. International visitation increased compared to the same period in 2024, with strong performance from key source markets including India, China, Russia, the UK, and the USA.
This sustained success reflects Abu Dhabi's evolving and increasingly distinctive value proposition and offerings, driven by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030.
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